Hector Berlioz

Hector Berlioz (La Côte-Saint-André, 1803 – Paris, 1869) was a French composer, writer and critic; he was considered the greatest conductor of his era. In 1830 he won the Prix de Rome.

> The Symphonie fantastique of 1830, an orchestral work that contains autobiographical elements, suggested new paths in composition. [1]

In 1865, his Memoirs were completed. A statue in Berlioz’s is in the Place Hector Berlioz at La Côte Saint-André in Paris.

Berlioz first married Harriet Smithson, and Marie Recio who would become his second wife.

## Contents

* 1 Some Works
* 2 Works that are heard today and important to those interested in learning about Berlioz's music
* 3 See also
* 4 External links

## Some Works[edit]

* Symphonie fantastique
* Le Dépit de la bergère
* Amitié reprends ton empire
* Toi qui l’aimas verse des pleurs
* Scène héroïque (La Révolution grecque)
* Grande Ouverture des Francs-Juges
* Cléopâtre
* Grande Messe des morts (Requiem)
* Roméo et Juliette
* Hymne à la France
* Hymne des Marseillais
* Marche troyenne
* Tantum ergo
* Invitation à louer Dieu

## Works that are heard today and important to those interested in learning about Berlioz's music[edit]

Symphonie Fantastique – autobiographical . Very concerned with his relationship with Harriet Smithson, the Irish actress who he would marry - mentioned above. It is one of the most performed and recorded of the Romantic symphonies.
Harold in Italy – a musical representation of parts of Lord Byron’s epic poem, Childe Harold. It is a suite for viola and orchestra in all but name and one of the great works for that instrument.
The Childhood of Christ – an oratorio.
The Damnation of Faust – an opera-cum-choral symphony that is played when companies can afford to play it.
Summer Nights – one of the great romantic song cycles. Take your pick between Janet Baker and Regine Crispin.
Invitation to the Dance \- an orchestration of Weber's piano piece that has become more popular than its parent.
La Marseillaise – an arrangement for massed everything of the wonderful French National Anthem, de Lisle’s "Song of the Army of the Rhine".
Romeo and Juliet – We are back to Harriet here. – his wife to be. A frequently performed/recorded opera , symphonic in form, with a languorous love scene as sweet as any. Its Queen Mab Scherzo is a popular “filler”.
Beatrice and Benedict – Shakespeare again; this time a comedy. The overture is the most performed part, but the general exuberance of the opera makes it welcome wherever it appears.
The Requiem – his Grande messe de morts. One of the great requiems.

While on this atheist’s sacred output, it should be mentioned that he wrote a gigantic Te Deum and a Funeral March that denuded the countryside for miles around for its singers and players.
The Trojans – a massive opera. Certain orchestral parts – especially the March of the Trojans – are heard frequently.

A complete listing of all Berlioz’s musical works

## See also[edit]

* Georges Bizet
* Claude Debussy
* Maurice Ravel
* Romantic period (music)
* Classical music

## External links[edit]

* The Hector Berlioz Website
* Hector Berlioz